San Francisco 49ers rookie safety Eric Reid couldn't help but hold his breath last May when the New Orleans Saints were up with the 15th pick of the draft.

But the moment came and passed. The Saints selected Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro instead. Reid moved on.

Reid didn't have much time for disappointment, though. The 49ers, who had pick No. 31, traded up to grab him at No. 18. The next safety didn't come off the board until pick No. 32, when the Baltimore Ravens took Matt Elam.

Reid grew up in Baton Rouge, went to high school at Dutchtown in Geismar and played at LSU. Essentially all his life, he's been rooting for the black and gold. Now he's swapped that allegiance for the scarlet and gold, where he's quickly found a home in the 49ers' defense.

"There are so many things to like about Eric," said 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. "He is a tough guy. He is a smart guy. He's a good guy, a good person. He is very athletic, good size, good speed, obtains information, makes a mistake and learns from it.

"Most of all, he shows up, works hard and he listens, great quality to have as a football player. I've been really pleased with his play, his progress and I like being around him every day."

And on Sunday he'll be in the surreal position of playing against the team he grew up cheering.

Vaccaro grew up watching the 49ers because his father was a fan, but as to which team he wanted to land with, he said really didn't matter.

"I just wanted to be the highest pick possible," he said. "I didn't really care. I'm fortunate to be with the Saints because it's a great organization."

It was a joking matter of discussion between the two safeties, who got to know each other during the draft process.

"We definitely knew going into the draft we were probably the top two guys," Vaccaro said. "When we got to New York, it was kind of like, alright, who's going to get picked first?"

Though the two haven't kept in touch much since the draft, Vaccaro said they've followed each other through social media and kept the competition going.

"It's kind of a competition to see which safety comes out on top," Vaccaro said.

But that likely won't happen this weekend. Both rookies have sustained two concussions this season. Vaccaro won't play, while Reid has been working his way back.

"I wish I could play this weekend, and he'll probably play this weekend," Vaccaro said.

Reid was cleared for non-contact work earlier this week and resumed practice in a limited capacity. He told the San Francisco media that he'd do anything possible to get back on the field against the Saints.

"This is my dream," Reid said. "This is what I've been wanting to do for a long time. As long as I feel fine and the doctors tell me that I can play, then I'm going to play. Right now, it's really just a waiting game for me."

Vaccaro's concussions came against the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys last week. Reid's first concussion occurred in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, and against last week when he was trying to tackle Carolina Panthers running back Mike Tolbert.

"I've been looking forward to this one," Reid said. "That's my home state. I've been watching Drew Brees and those guys for a long time. This is part of my dream, to get to play in that stadium against Brees and the Saints. Hopefully I can do my part and get a win."

Vaccaro has played every game for the Saints, lining up all over and playing almost every snap. In nine games, he's made 45 tackles, with one sack, five pass deflections and one interception. He's played all but 24 defensive snaps for the Saints.

Reid won the starting job in the preseason by beating out Craig Dahl, C.J. Spillman and Trenton Robinson after Dashon Goldson left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's also played in nine games, with 40 tackles, no sacks, six pass deflections and three interceptions.

"He has two more picks than me. I've got to get more picks," Vaccaro joked.

But what will really matter to Reid, more than the statistics, is getting to play in front of his family and friends. And getting a 'W' over the team he once cheered.

"They can throw the ball, I know very well they can do that. I remember watching the Super Bowl at my house when they won it," Reid said. "They have a very powerful offense, and very explosive offensive, and it's kind of surreal for me because now my job is to stop them after being a fan of them for so long."

No bitterness: There are no hard feelings between Saints linebacker Parys Haralson and the San Francisco 49ers.

And he's not just spouting the company line, he insisted while speaking to the media at his locker Wednesday.

Haralson, who was traded from the 49ers to the Saints in August, had only glowing things to say about San Francisco, where he spent seven seasons.

"There's a bunch of guys I played with over there," he said. "I've got a bunch of friends still in that locker room. But I'm a New Orleans Saint and I want to go out and help the Saints win. That's what I'm focused on doing, going out and doing what I've got to do to help us earn a 'W.'"

Haralson said the 49ers viewed the Saints as "one of the elite teams" in the NFL when he was playing for them. Now he's just fine being on the other side.

"You know it's going to be one of those games, it's going to come down to the wire, it's going to be two well-coached teams," he said. "Anytime, especially these past two years, I think it has kind of been -- especially that playoff game (in 2011) -- has been one of the classic games."

Haralson didn't say if he had any 49ers intel to give to the Saints, but he did smile and offer one statement:

"We're trying to win a game here," he said.

Stat of the day: Brees has 12 touchdown passes thrown 15 or more yards downfield this season, which is the most in the NFL, according to ESPN's Stats and Info.